Method and system for maintaining even tube burn-in

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active and inactive display regions on a display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions are identified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active display regions remain active. After the active display regions become inactive and a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays a corrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predetermined time period may be set by a user or based on the user&#39;s viewing habits.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to receivers capable of presenting videoand graphical images having multiple aspect ratios.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some high-end home entertainment systems have display units (e.g., highdefinition and/or wide screen display units) having an aspect ratio,horizontal width to vertical height, of 16:9. Video signals (i.e.,video, graphical and textual data) received from various sources (e.g.,broadcast systems, cable systems, satellite systems, DSL systems and theInternet) have varying aspect ratios. Two such aspect ratios are the 4:3aspect ratio, often associated with conventional sources of video, andthe 16:9 aspect ratio, often associated with sources of high definitionvideo. It is desirable for a high-end home entertainment system having a16:9 aspect ratio display unit to display video signals having 16:9aspect ratios as well as video signals having aspect ratios other than16:9 (e.g., video signals having an aspect ratio of 4:3).

One drawback encountered in displaying a 4:3 video signal on a 16:9display unit is that the entire 16:9 display is not used to display the4:3 video signal. This will result in an uneven burn-in of the displayunit. In other words, the active video region of the 16:9 display unitwill burn-in at a different rate than the non-active regions of the 16:9display unit. Burn-in relates to the phosphor aging of a CRT screen. Allphosphors are subject to aging (browning) such that their light outputdiminishes with use. As a result, a 16:9 display unit that is also usedto display 4:3 video will have significant portions of its phosphordisplay surface that are not activated in the 4:3 display mode. Thiswill eventually result in a difference in brightness across the displaythat could be very distracting to a viewer.

One approach to achieve even burn-in is to horizontally expand theactive video region over the entire display unit (i.e., expand the 4:3video signal to 16:9 video signal). However, a drawback to using thisapproach is that the horizontal expansion leads to an undesirabledistortion of the active video. For example, the displayed video mayappear horizontally stretched.

Another approach to achieve even burn-in is to horizontally andvertically expand the active video over the entire display unit andmaintain the proper proportions of the horizontal and verticalresolutions. However, a drawback to this approach is that some videocontent (e.g., a sport score located in a corner of the active video)will be moved off screen and will not be viewable by a user.

A further approach to achieve even burn-in is to monitor theillumination of the active video region, calculate an averageillumination value, and to display side panels on the inactive portionsof the 16:9 display at the average illumination value. The display ofthe side panels then occurs while the user is viewing the display unit.However, a drawback with this approach is that the user may find thedisplay of the side panels to be distracting when the user is viewing anactive video on the display unit. Furthermore, even if the side panelsare displayed when the display unit is off, a user who is engaged in anactivity in the vicinity of the display unit may find the display of theside panels to be bothersome.

The present invention is directed to overcoming these drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention is directed towards an arrangementfor maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active andinactive display regions on a display unit when video content isdisplayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions areidentified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active displayregions remain active. After the active display regions become inactiveand a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays acorrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predeterminedtime period may be set by a user or based on the user's viewing habits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary home entertainment systemconfigured to support the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram further illustrating the MPEG decoder andvideo memory of the exemplary home entertainment system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the burn-in correction method of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the manual scheduling mode algorithmof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the automatic scheduling mode of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary graphical user interface configured to supportthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is another exemplary graphical user interface configured tosupport the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a further exemplary graphical user interface configured tosupport the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent from the following description, given by way of example.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary digital videoreceiving system that operates according to the principles of theinvention is shown. The video receiver system includes an antenna 10 andinput processor 15 for receiving and digitizing a broadcast carriermodulated with signals carrying audio, video, and associated data, ademodulator 20 for receiving and demodulating the digital output signalfrom input processor 15, and a decoder 30 outputting a signal that istrellis decoded, mapped into byte length data segments, de-interleaved,and Reed-Solomon error corrected. The corrected output data from decoderunit 30 is in the form of an MPEG compatible transport data streamcontaining program representative multiplexed audio, video, and datacomponents.

The video receiver system further includes a modem 80 that may beconnected, via telephone lines, to a server 83 or connection service 87such that data in various formats (e.g., MPEG, HTML, and/or JAVA) can bereceived by the video receiver system over the telephone lines.

A processor 25 processes the data output from decoder 30 and/or modem 80such that the processed data can be displayed on a display unit 75 orstored on a storage medium 105 in accordance with requests input by auser via a remote control unit 125. More specifically, processor 25includes a controller 115 that interprets requests received from remotecontrol unit 125 via remote unit interface 120 and appropriatelyconfigures the elements of processor 25 to carry out user requests(e.g., channel, website, and/or OSD display). In one exemplary mode,controller 115 configures the elements of processor 25 to provide MPEGdecoded data and an OSD for display on display unit 75. In anotherexemplary mode, controller 15 configures the elements of processor 25 toprovide an MPEG compatible data stream for storage on storage medium 105via storage device 90 and store interface 95. In a further exemplarymode, controller 115 configures the elements of processor 25 for othercommunication modes, such as for receiving bi-directional (e.g.Internet) communications via server 83 or connection service 87.

Processor 25 includes a decode PID selection unit 45 that identifies androutes selected packets in the transport stream from decoder 30 totransport decoder 55. The transport stream from decoder 30 isdemultiplexed into audio, video, and data components by transportdecoder 55 and is further processed by the other elements of processor25, as described in further detail below.

The transport stream provided to processor 25 comprises data packetscontaining program channel data, ancillary system timing information,and program specific information such as program content rating, programaspect ratio, and program guide information. Transport decoder 55directs the ancillary information packets to controller 115 whichparses, collates, and assembles the ancillary information intohierarchically arranged tables. Individual data packets comprising theuser selected program channel are identified and assembled using theassembled program specific information. The system timing informationcontains a time reference indicator and associated correction data (e.g.a daylight savings time indicator and offset information adjusting fortime drift, leap years, etc.). This timing information is sufficient fora decoder to convert the time reference indicator to a time clock (e.g.,United States east coast time and date) for establishing a time of dayand date of the future transmission of a program by the broadcaster ofthe program. The time clock is useable for initiating scheduled programprocessing functions such as program play, program recording, andprogram playback. The time clock is also usable for monitoring thelength of time that video, graphical, and/or textual content isdisplayed on display unit 75, as discussed in further detail below.Further, the program specific information contains conditional access,network information, and identification and linking data enabling thesystem of FIG. 1 to tune to a desired channel and assemble data packetsto form complete programs. The program specific information alsocontains ancillary program content rating information (e.g., an agebased suitability rating), program aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3 or 16:9aspect ratio), program guide information (e.g., an Electronic ProgramGuide—EPG) and descriptive text related to the broadcast programs aswell as data supporting the identification and assembly of thisancillary information.

Transport decoder 55 provides MPEG compatible video, audio, andsub-picture streams to MPEG decoder 65. The video and audio streamscontain compressed video and audio data representing the selectedchannel program content. The sub-picture data contains informationassociated with the channel program content such as rating information,program description information, and the like.

MPEG decoder 65 cooperates with a random access memory (RAM) 67 todecode and decompress the MPEG compatible packetized audio and videodata from unit 55 and provides decompressed program representative pixeldata to display processor 70. Decoder 65 also assembles, collates andinterprets the sub-picture data from unit 55 to produce formattedprogram guide data for output to an internal OSD module. The OSD modulecooperates with RAM 67 to process the sub-picture data and otherinformation to generate pixel mapped data representing subtitling,control, and information menu displays including selectable menu optionsand other items for presentation on display device 75 in accordance withthe present invention. The control and information menus that aredisplayed enable a user to select a program to view and to schedulefuture program processing functions including tuning to receive aselected program for viewing, recording of a program onto storage medium105, and playback of a program from medium 105.

The control and information displays, including text and graphicsproduced by the OSD module, are generated in the form of overlay pixelmap data under direction of controller 115. The overlay pixel map datafrom the OSD module is combined and synchronized with the decompressedpixel representative data from MPEG decoder 65 under direction ofcontroller 115. Combined pixel map data representing a video program onthe selected channel together with associated sub-picture data isencoded by display processor 70 and output to device 75 for display.

The principles of the invention may be applied to terrestrial, cable,satellite, Internet or computer network broadcast systems in which thecoding type or modulation format may be varied. Such systems mayinclude, for example, non-MPEG compatible systems, involving other typesof encoded data streams and other methods of conveying program specificinformation. Further, although the disclosed system is described asprocessing broadcast programs, this is exemplary only. The term‘program’ is used to represent any form of packetized data such as audiodata, telephone messages, computer programs, Internet data or othercommunications, for example.

The architecture of FIG. 1 is not exclusive. Other architectures may bederived in accordance with the principles of the invention to accomplishthe same objectives. Further, the functions of the elements of processor25 of FIG. 1 may be implemented in whole or in part within theprogrammed instructions of a microprocessor. In addition, the principlesof the invention apply to any form of MPEG or non-MPEG compatibleelectronic program guide.

Referring now to FIG. 2, MPEG decoder 65 and video RAM 67 areillustrated in further detail. Decoder 65 includes a FIFO buffer memory130 which receives video data packets on demand in small segments fromtransport decoder 55 and couples them into relatively larger segmentsvia a memory controller 132 to a section 134 of RAM 67 reserved fordecoding and decompression. Video RAM 67 is addressed under the controlof memory controller 132. Section 134 of RAM 67 includes a rate buffersection for storing the received video data packets and a frame storesection for storing frames of video information during the decoding anddecompression operation. A video display unit 140 decodes anddecompresses the stored video data packets to form a sequence of videoimage components. For this purpose, video display unit 140 requests datafrom the decoding and decompression portion of section 134 via memorycontroller 132 as required. The sequence of video image components aresynchronized with field, line, and pixel rate signals generated bydisplay processor 70. Control data generated by controller 115 isreceived by controller interface unit 142 and coupled to variouselements of MPEG decoder 65 via an internal control bus.

The OSD portion of MPEG decoder 65 includes an OSD display unit 144which communicates with an OSD header memory block 136 and an OSD pixelmap or bitmap memory block 138 of RAM 67 via memory controller 132, asdiscussed in further detail below. Upon initialization of the videoreceiver, controller 115 generates pixel maps and associated pixel mapheaders and stores them in OSD pixel map and OSD header blocks of memory138 and 136 via control interface 142 and memory controller 132. Asshown in FIG. 3, one exemplary OSD pixel map used in the presentinvention is a pixel map having side panels (“X”) that are positioned oneither side of a 4:3 active video region (“Y”). Another exemplary OSDpixel map (not shown) is a pixel map having top and bottom panels thatare positioned on either side of a 16:9 active video region. Thisalternative pixel map is utilized for corrective burn in after 16:9content is displayed on a display unit having a 4:3 aspect ratio. Otheralternative pixel maps, as known by those skilled in the art, areconsidered within the scope of the present invention.

An output multiplexer 146, under the control of OSD display unit 144,combines the output of video display unit 140 (video image components)and the output of OSD display unit 144 (graphic image components) andpasses the video and graphical combination to display processor 70 fordisplay on display unit 75. It should be noted that if content is onlyavailable from video display unit 140 or OSD display unit 144, outputmultiplexer 146 merely passes the available video or graphical contentto display processor 70 for display on display unit 75.

Referring now to FIG. 4, at the start up of the home entertainmentsystem of FIG. 1 controller 115, at step 152, starts a burn-incorrection process 150. Initially, at step 154, controller 115 detectsthe aspect ratio of the content (video, graphical, and/or textual) thatis being displayed on display unit 75. Controller 115 may detect theaspect ratio of the content being displayed on display unit 75 byreceiving an aspect ratio packet from MPEG decoder 65 or HTML/JavaProcessor 25 that is acquired from the video, graphical, and/or datasignal received by antenna 10, modem 80, or storage interface 95. Otherknown techniques for acquiring an aspect ratio of displayed content isconsidered within the scope of the invention.

Next, at step 156, controller 115 determines if the detected aspectratio is a 16:9 aspect ratio. If so, controller 115 returns to step 154and continues to monitor the aspect ratio of the displayed content. Ifnot, controller 115, at step 158, accesses a local memory (not shown) todetermine if the user has disabled the display of side panels if contentnot having a 16:9 aspect ratio is being displayed on display unit 75. Ifthe side panels have not been disabled controller 115, at step 160, endsthe burn-in correction process 150. It should be noted that controller115 will restart the correction process if the user disables the displayof the side panels. If the side panels have been inactivated, controller115, at step 162, determines if the manual side panel illuminationscheduling mode has been enabled. If not, controller 115, at step 164,executes the automatic illumination scheduling mode algorithm shown inFIG. 6. If so, controller 115, at step 166, executes the manualillumination scheduling mode algorithm shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the manual scheduling mode algorithm 170 of thepresent invention is shown. Initially, at step 172, controller 115references an internal clock/calendar (not shown) to detect the currentdate and time. Next, at step 174, controller 115 determines if thedetected date and time matches a user-selected illumination start dateand start time. If not, controller 115 returns to step 172 and continuesto monitor the current date and time. If so, controller 115, at step176, transmits a side panel display request to OSD display unit 144 viacontrol interface 142. In response to the side panel display request OSDdisplay unit 144 transmits a header pointer (corresponding to thedesired side panel display, discussed below) to the to memory controller132. Memory controller 132 services the request by retrieving thedesired header from OSD header section 136 of video RAM 67 and passingthe header data to OSD display unit 144. It should be noted that theretrieved header contains the memory location of an associated sidepanel pixmap as well as a set of display characteristics that define howthe associated pixmap is going to be processed by display processor 70and displayed on display unit 75. The display characteristics include,but are not limited to, the illumination intensity of the OSD sidepanels, the use of pixel compression, the number of bits per pixel, YUVor YIQ colorimetry, degree of transparency, OSD size, OSD format (e.g.,interlaced or progressive), OSD color scheme, OSD blending ratio, OSDresolution, aspect ratio, horizontal pixel duplication, vertical pixelduplication, OSD screen location. It should be noted that theillumination intensity may be set by the user of the entertainmentsystem (when in manual illumination scheduling mode) or by controller115 (when in automatic illumination scheduling mode), as discussed infurther detail below. OSD display unit 144 analyzes the retrieved headerinformation to determine the location of the pixmap (corresponding tothe desired side panel display) stored in OSD pixel map block 138.Afterwards, OSD display unit 144 retrieves, via memory controller 132,the located pixmap from memory 67 and passes the retrieved pixmap andheader to display processor 70 via Mux 146. Display processor 70processes the side panel pixmap in accordance with the displaycharacteristics of the associated OSD header and displays the sidepanels on display unit 75. Preferably, a text message is also displayedexplaining that a corrective side panel display is occurring. The textmessage is displayed for a short period of time (e.g., two minutes).

Next, at step 178, controller 115 determines if the aging of the displayelements being utilized to display the side panels matches the aging ofthe rest of the display elements (i.e., the display elements used todisplay the content having a 4:3 aspect ratio). It should be noted thatcontroller 115 stores the “on” time of the display elements in anon-volatile memory such that the aging of all of the display elementsof display unit 75 can be tracked. If the aging does match, controller115, at step 180, discontinues the illumination of the side panels. Ifthe aging does not match, controller 115, at step 182, references aninternal clock/calendar (not shown) to detect the current date and time.Next, at step 184, controller 115 determines if the detected date andtime matches a user-selected illumination end date and end time. If theend time is reached then controller 115, at step 180, discontinues theillumination of the side panels. It should be noted that controller 115preferably returns to steps 172 and 174 to determine when the nextuser-selected illumination start date and start time is reached. If theend time has not been reached then controller 115 returns to step 176and permits display processor 70 to continue to illuminate the sidepanels.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the automatic scheduling mode algorithm 190 ofthe present invention is shown. Initially, at step 192, controller 115detects the status of display unit 75. If display unit 75 is off thecontroller 115, at step 194, determines if display unit 75 has been offfor a predetermined time period (e.g., one hour). If display unit 75 hasnot been off for the predetermined time period, controller 115 returnsto step 192 and continues to monitor the state of the display unit untilthe predetermined “off” time period is reached. If display unit 75 hasbeen off for a predetermined time period, controller 115, at step 196,determines if display unit 75 is expected to remain off for an extendedtime period. In order to estimate when display unit 75 is expected toremain off for extended time periods controller 115 tracks the viewinghabits of the users of the entertainment system by storing the times atwhich the display unit 75 is powered up and powered down, as well as theduration that display unit remains in the “off” and “on” states. Ifdisplay unit 75 is not expected to remain off for an extended timeperiod, controller 115 returns to step 192 and continues to monitor thestate of the display unit until a subsequent predetermined “off” timeperiod is reached. If display unit 75 is expected to remain off for anextended time period, controller 115, at step 198, displays an on-screentext message explaining that corrective side panel illumination isoccurring. Afterwards, at step 200, controller 115 retrieves the sidepanel header and pixmap from memory 67, as discussed above, and passesthe data to display processor 70 such that display processor 70 displaysthe side panels on display unit 75. Preferably, the side panels areinitially displayed at a low brightness level (e.g., 15 IRE) for a firsttime period (e.g., the first hour), at a normal brightness level (e.g.,30 IRE) for a second time period (e.g., the second hour), and at a highbrightness level (e.g., 60 IRE) for the remaining time that the sidepanels are displayed. This graceful increase in side-panel intensityminimizes a user's concern when the side panels appear to turn ONautomatically. Next, at step 202, controller 115 determines if the agingof the display elements being utilized to display the side panelsmatches the aging of the rest of the display elements (i.e., the displayelements used to display the content having a 4:3 aspect ratio). If theaging does match, controller 115, at step 204, discontinues theillumination of the side panels. If the aging does not match, controller115 returns to step 200 and continues to illuminate the side panels. Itshould be noted that the illumination of the side panels may bediscontinued prior to a desired aging for a number of reasons such as,but not limited to, a user turning display unit 75 on, if the currenttime comes within a predetermined time from an anticipated display unit“on” time, or a if there is a temporary loss of power. Preferably, ifthe user interrupts the corrective display of the side panels by turningdisplay unit 75 on, a message informing the user of the correctivedisplay is displayed to the user for a predetermined time (e.g., twominutes) or until the user clears the displayed message.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, exemplary on-screen displays (OSDs)of a graphical user interface of the present invention are shown. Byselecting various icons (via remote control 125) in the OSDs, displayedon display unit 75, a user can access video, audio, graphical and datacontent received from various sources (e.g., satellite, internet, or alocal storage device). The user can also enable the automatic schedulingmode or the manual scheduling mode and adjust various mode features.Turning to FIG. 7, a main menu OSD 210 is shown. Main menu OSD 210allows a user to access various program guides, set up various audiooptions, set timers, set custom profiles set system options and requestassistance. Main menu also brings the user to a preference OSD when theuser selects the preferences icon 212 of main menu OSD 210. Turning nowto FIG. 8, an exemplary preference OSD 220 is shown. Preference OSD 220allows a user to set up various user preferences such as, but notlimited to, color schemes, translucency, default guides, screen formats,caption display and caption modes. The preference OSD 220 also bringsthe user to a corrective display OSD when the user selects thecorrective display icon 222 of preference OSD 220.

Turning now to FIG. 9, the corrective display OSD 230 of the presentinvention is shown. The corrective display OSD 230 includes a “TotalViewing Time” icon 232, a “Total Corrective Display Time” icon 234, a“Difference” icon 236, an “Automatic Scheduling Mode” icon 238, and a“Manual Scheduling Mode” icon 240. When the user selects the “TotalViewing Time” icon 232 the total amount of viewing time that contenthaving a 4:3 aspect ratio (or some other non 16:9 aspect ratio) wasdisplayed on display unit 75 is shown to the user. When the user selectsthe “Total Corrective Display Time” icon 234 the total correctivedisplay time of the side panels (or other corrective image) is shown tothe user. When the user selects the “difference” icon 236 the differencebetween the 4:3 aspect ratio viewing time and the corrective side paneldisplay time is shown to the user. The user can use this information tofacilitate scheduling when setting the manual scheduling mode of thepresent invention. When the user selects the “automatic scheduling mode”icon 238 the user is provided with the option enabling or disabling theautomatic scheduling mode of the present invention. When the userselects the “manual scheduling mode” icon 240 the user is provided withthe options of enabling or disabling the manual scheduling mode,selecting the time and duration for displaying the corrective sidepanels, and selecting the brightness at which the corrective side panelsare to be displayed (e.g., 15 IRE luminance for low brightness, 30 IREluminance for normal brightness, and/or 60 IRE luminance for highbrightness).

While the present invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments, it is apparent that various changes may be madein the embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope ofthe invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, thepresent invention is applicable to any display technology where unevenwear or aging occurs due to the format of displayed video content.Furthermore, using the display of corrective images to pre-agenon-active video regions is also considered within the scope of theinvention.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A method for equalizing burn-in in a display unithaving a plurality of display elements, the method comprising the stepsof: identifying active display elements and non-active display elementson the display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit;monitoring an aging of the active display elements; and displaying acorrective image on the identified non-active display elements during atime period manually scheduled by a user.
 33. The method of claim 32wherein the time period is further determined by matching an amount ofburn-in time of the active display elements with an amount of burn-intime of the non-active display elements.
 34. The method of claim 32,wherein the step of identifying includes the steps of: detecting anaspect ratio of the video content; detecting an aspect ratio of thedisplay unit; comparing the video content aspect ratio to the displayunit aspect ratio; and determining that the non-active display elementsexist if the aspect ratio of the video content does not match the aspectratio of the display unit.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein theaspect ratio of the video content is 4:3 and the aspect ratio of thedisplay unit is 16:9.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the aspectratio of the video content is 16:9 and the aspect ratio of the displayunit is 4:3.
 37. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of monitoringincludes the step of: tracking the length of time that the activedisplay elements are active.
 38. The method of claim 32, wherein thecorrective image is displayed at one of a 15 IRE, 30 IRE, and 60 IREluminance.
 39. The method of claim 32, wherein the corrective image fora first time period is displayed at 15 IRE luminance, for a second timeperiod is displayed at 30 IRE luminance, and for a third time period isdisplayed at 60 IRE luminance.
 40. The method of claim 32, wherein thecorrective image is a pair of side panels.
 41. The method of claim 32,wherein the step of displaying the corrective image further includes thesteps of: comparing a current date and time to a user-selected startdate and start time; and displaying the corrective image on theidentified non-active display elements based only on the user-selectedstart date and start time.
 42. The method of claim 32, wherein the timeperiod manually scheduled by the user includes a stop time set by theuser.
 43. A system for equalizing a display regions of a display, thesystem comprising: means for identifying active display elements andnon-active display elements on the display unit when video content isdisplayed on the display unit; means for monitoring an aging of theactive display elements; and means for displaying a corrective image onthe identified non-active display elements during a time period manuallyscheduled by a user.
 44. The system of claim 43 wherein the time periodis further determined by matching an amount of bum-in time of the activedisplay elements with an amount of burn-in time of the non-activedisplay elements.
 45. The system of claim 43, wherein the means fordisplaying a corrective image includes a means for comparing a currentdate and time to a user-selected start date and start time.
 46. Thesystem of claim 43, wherein the corrective image is displayed at one ofa 15 IRE, 30 IRE, and 60 IRE luminance.
 47. The system of claim 43,wherein the corrective image for a first time period is displayed at 15IRE luminance, for a second time period is displayed at 30 IREluminance, and for a third time period is displayed at 60 IRE luminance.48. The system of claim 43, wherein the corrective image is a pair ofside panels.
 49. The system of claim 48, wherein said means fordisplaying a corrective image further comprises means for initiatingdisplay of an onscreen text message.
 50. A method for equalizing burn-inin a display unit having a plurality of display elements, the methodcomprising the steps of: identifying active display elements andnon-active display elements on the display unit when video content isdisplayed on the display unit; monitoring an aging of the active displayelements; displaying a corrective image on the identified non-activedisplay elements only if the current time and date match a user selectedstart time and date; and removing the corrective image on the identifiednon-active display elements only if an aging of the non-active displayelements match the aging of the active elements.